Getting a flat tire on the road can be a scary experience, but what you do in the moments after a tire loses pressure is very important.
When a tire loses a significant amount of air pressure, it’s what is referred to as flat. This can occur for many different reasons, such as a defect, improper air pressure, a puncture, or over use.
Although it is rare, some tires do have built-in defects that may be visible as bumps or bulges on the sidewall of the tire. If you ever see these types of abnormalities, do not drive on the tire and have a certified tire mechanic inspect it right away.
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A tire that is at the end of its life cycle can also show signs it may rupture if it’s not replaced. Any tire under 2/32nds of tread depth should be replaced as soon as possible and any tire with the steel belts showing through the tread should not be driven at all. It’s important to always check your air pressure as well to ensure it’s at the correct level. Driving on under-inflated tires causes increased wear, damage and heat that can lead to a tire prematurely failing.
A puncture is much harder to prevent and can occur on a seemingly clear stretch of roadway. Regardless of what causes a tire to go flat, when it does happen, it’s imperative to minimize the amount of time spent driving on it.
Pull Over Immediately
We’ve all seen it before; some of you may have even done it. A vehicle has had a tire go flat and the driver is slowly driving on the shoulder on of the road. Instead of waiting on a tow truck or taking the time to install the spare tire, drivers sometimes try to ‘limp’ their cars to a nearby service center. This is not the right response to a flat tire. As Goodyear states:
“Maintaining proper air pressure is an important factor in tire safety and performance. If a driver experiences a flat tire or loss of air pressure, they should slow the vehicle gradually and carefully pull off to the side of the road as soon as possible. Driving on a flat tire can cause internal structural damage to the tire, may lead to wheel and vehicle damage and may result in poor vehicle handling and control — which could lead to an accident, injury or death.”
A Flat Doesn’t Always Mean a New Tire
This all may sound a bit extreme, but it’s true. Let’s start with the reasons why driving on a flat tire is not a good idea for the tire itself. A lot of flats occur because the tire gets punctured. Most things that create the puncture are small, like nails and screws. As John Carpenter, field service manager for Toyo Tire Canada states, “Industry guidelines allow repair of punctures of up to 1/4″ in diameter in a tire’s tread area.”
SEE ALSO: Run Flat Tires: Why You Should, or Shouldn’t, Buy Them
This means a simple tire puncture can be fixed with a tire plug. But, if a tire is driven on after the initial deflation occurs, more damage can occur to the tire, as the sidewalls can rupture and the initial puncture can expand. As Carpenter says, “Repair of any punctures in the shoulder and sidewall areas are not permitted. Repair of larger tread punctures, long straight cuts and irregular gashes are not permitted.”
Not Just the Tire is at Risk
And if a tire degrades enough when being driven while flat, it can start to break apart and cause damage to several important components on a car. Brake lines, rotors, calipers, suspension components, wheels and fenders can get serious damage from a flat tire that begins to flail around in the tire well. What starts off as a simple $30 tire patch can end up costing thousands of dollars if a flat tire is driven on for an extended period of time.
But more of a concern is occupant safety. If any of the braking or suspension components do get damaged, the car may behave unexpectedly, that could result in a crashing injury or, in a worst case scenario, death.
What to Do When You Do Have a Flat?
If a flat does occur, it best not to panic and best not to drive on it. Safely maneuver to the side of the road and either installed the spare tire (if one is supplied) or get a tow to a local tire shop. Although this means a minor inconvenience and/or cost in the short term, it’s worth it in the long run.
The post Here’s Why You Really Shouldn’t Drive on a Flat Tire appeared first on AutoGuide.com News.